By ANNE GIBSON property
Shocked and disappointed property specialists have criticised proposed amendments to the Resource Management Act (RMA), saying it will cost the country dearly and deter development.
This week, the select committee considering amendments to the act recommended only minor changes, despite widespread discontent with the legislation's effects on business
development.
Russell Bartlett, a barrister and Environment Court specialist, said the lack of changes were deeply troubling.
"This just institutionalises inefficiencies," he said. "It means the existing delays remain, some developments are prevented and business will be deterred."
A parliamentary select committee rejected many of the property industry's recommendations.
Mr Bartlett expressed disappointment at the way the select committee had done its job, saying the National Party had not put up enough of a fight.
"I'm unhappy with the lack of attention the National Party has given the whole topic."
Particularly troublesome was the recommendation not to allow the use of independent commissioners on request: "It's a great money-spinner for the councillors," he said.
Worse was the lack of mechanisms to speed up the district plan process.
"The biggest single cause of delay is dithering by district councils at the implementation of their district plans. For example, North Shore City's has been going on for seven years and Manukau City Council has been going on for six years. While this is happening, landowners have to comply with both sets of rules - the transitional plan and the proposed one."
Owen McShane, the RMA adviser to Federated Farmers in Northland, also criticised the changes.
"It's a triumph of ideology over commonsense," he said. "These amendments will produce more delays in terms of the Environment Court and make it easier to stop projects and developments."
Ant Beverley, the head of property for AMP Henderson Global Investors, was scathing in his criticism of the recommendations. Accusing the select committee of a left-leaning political bias, he said property investors would be upset by the outcome.
"This is politically one-sided and a frustrating outcome - how long before we have a look at the RMA again?"
Criticism of the RMA came from business here as well as abroad, he said, and it would drive business out of New Zealand as well as deterring potential investors from abroad from putting their money into the country.
"Everyone here says the act is not working and everyone abroad says the same," he said, calling the recommendations a "non-decision."
The Property Council plans to meet on May 29 to discuss the matter and its national president, Nick Weavers, said he had not seen the changes.
